Häagen-Dazs Gives Out "Free-Bees" for Free Flavor Day

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Crunchy chocolate-coated almonds, refreshing mint, and luscious strawberries are just some of the bee-built ingredients featured in flavors of Häagen-Dazs ice cream, and during Häagen-Dazs ice cream's annual Free Flavor Day, consumers will be offered an opportunity to taste these sweet treats for themselves.

On Tuesday, May 12, consumers can visit any participating Häagen-Dazs Shop between 4 and 8 p.m. to receive a free scoop of any bee-built flavor. Since honey bees pollinate ingredients essential to more than 50 percent of Häagen-Dazs ice cream's all-natural flavors, consumers will have a large assortment of flavors from which to choose.

"Free Flavor Day is one way we give back to the communities we serve, and this year we have chosen to link this tradition with a very notable cause," says Häagen-Dazs Shops brand manager Julie Michelutti. "The plight of the honey bees is a disturbing reality that deserves our attention. We hope this event will raise a sense of awareness about the predicament."

Over the last several winters, approximately one in three bee colonies in the U.S. has vanished. Everything from poor nutrition to invasive mites to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)--a phenomenon where bees from a colony abruptly desert the hive--is affecting the bees. Häagen-Dazs Shops realizes the importance of these hard-working pollinators, responsible for pollinating one-third of America's food supply, and is proud to increase the knowledge of the serious issues threatening honey bee populations with this year's Free Flavor Day.

"The disappearance of the honey bees has the potential to pose a major threat to our entire food supply, as well as many of our favorite all-natural Häagen-Dazs ice cream flavors," Michelutti says. "Free Flavor Day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness about the crisis facing honeybees, educate consumers about what they can do to help, and give them a chance to taste the many wonderful flavors produced by these petite pollinators."

To further educate ice cream enthusiasts, select participating shop locations will feature appearances by local community beekeepers. These shops include:

Boulder, Colorado – 1148 Pearl Street

Fairfield, California – 1530 Travis Boulevard

Washington, D.C. – 3120 M. Street NW

Miami, Florida – 11401 12th Street NW

Orlando, Florida – 4963 International Drive

Pembroke Pines, Florida – 11401 Pines Boulevard

Naperville, Illinios – 2835 Showplace Drive

Bronxville, New York – 28 Park Place

New York, New York – 1188 First Avenue

Seattle, Washington – 4301 University Ave NE

Kansas City, Missouri – 6209 NW 63rd Terrace

To find a nearby Häagen-Dazs Shop where you can participate in the Free Flavor Day festivities, visit www.haagendazs.com.
For full details on the crisis facing the honey bee population, how the Häagen-Dazs brand is helping with the continuation of the Häagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees program, and how you can take part, please visit www.helpthehoneybees.com.